I recently posted Sarah White Therapy as profile on Thumbtack.com.

Naked Therapy is a form of talk therapy in which the therapist and/or the patient get naked in an environment in which arousal (physical, emotional and/or intellectual) is encouraged and utilized to arrive at unique self-discoveries. Naked Therapy is different for every patient because it is based on the patient’s arousal, which is always personal and unique. It is based on the belief that since we live in a world full of arousal, arousal should be allowed, explored, and respected in the therapeutic context.

Their response, one day later:

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for getting in touch.

It looks like our community may have flagged your posts as being out of compliance with our community standards. You can see those here: http://www.thumbtack.com/community-standards

In your case, it looks like your post has been flagged because it is somewhat sexual in nature – it may be a legit business, but we do not entertain overtly sexual listings.

Sorry about the trouble, and please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks!

~ Martin
Thumbtack Customer Advocate

According to the website they link to:

Nothing Sexual – Prostitution or anything overtly sexual is not allowed (including coded messages on massage posts).

My response, one day later:

Hi, Martin. I’m a therapist and life coach. I have numerous clients. I have a practice with other practitioners-in-training. My methods have been widely discussed in the press, I am conducting research with reputable and accredited psychological professionals, and next year I will be coming out with a book on my therapeutic innovations. Just because a part (but not all) of what I do involves encouraging arousal in my clients, I am branded as unacceptably sexual? What is the therapy room these days, the new nunnery? I would encourage you to reconsider your decision, if only to stay relevant to what is happening on the Internet and in the world.

What do YOU think?? If anyone looks closely at Naked Therapy they will see it is a legitimate, new therapeutic practice. However, due to nudity, it is immediately assumed sexual and XXX. Are institutions right in removing me from their listings? Other examples include Facebook, Model Mayhem, and Chase Bank.

Thumbtack’s response:

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for the email.

I totally understand. You mentioned that you’re offering life coaching – my best advise would be to post that part instead. Though your initial posted service listing may be valid, but it’s definitely prone to something else – you know how the web works

I totally respect your intentions, but you might as well consider the circumstances it might cause. We simply don’t allow any sexual contents on our site – your initial post will definitely encourage it. You may be right when you said that we should stay relevant to what is actually happening on the Internet and in the world today, but as much as possible, we really prefer to stay off the course for as long as the norm permits.

I hope you understand.

Your life-coaching services is definitely welcome, and I encourage you to post that one instead.

I hope this clarifies.

Thanks again Sarah – I really appreciate the email.

Have a great day! We’d really love to have you on our site!

~ Martin
Thumbtack Customer Advocate